Clinton County’s World War II hero, Garlin Murl Conner, (was) posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, in a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Conner died in Albany, in November, 1998 at age 79.
Conner’s widow, Pauline Conner, traveled to the nation’s capitol where she accepted the medal her late husband earned for his acts of heroism while fighting in France in 1945.
President Donald Trump awarded the medal to Conner during a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

Army Staff Sergeant Dudley Riley survived combat in North Africa and wounds received during two years in a German POW camp, but never received the Purple Heart medal he earned in 1945. That oversight was corrected yesterday just short of Mr. Riley’s 95th birthday. Brigadier General Ben Adams, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, presented the medal to Staff Sgt. Riley at the Joseph “Eddie” Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center (WKVC) in Hanson on Wednesday. It was a surprise ceremony, arranged by WKVC staff and KDVA Veterans Benefits Field Representative Johnny Allen, who collected and submitted documents to confirm the award and obtained the medal for Staff Sgt. Riley.

Governor Steve Beshear today joined lawmakers and veterans’ groups from across the Commonwealth to unveil a bronze plaque listing the names of Kentucky’s 60 Medal of Honor recipients. “It’s a privilege to present this plaque that proudly lists the names of individuals who have selflessly served our country and fought for our freedom,” Gov. Beshear said. “This symbol of their sacrifice and bravery can now be shared with the thousands of Capitol visitors, who can pay their respects and acknowledge the amazing achievements of these individuals.”

US veterans who helped in the liberation of France during World War II can be eligible to receive the French Legion of Honor Medal, created to celebrate extraordinary contributions to the country.

To be eligible for this outstanding award, you must fit the following strict criteria:You must have fought on French territory in one or more of the four main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Southern France, Northern France and the Ardennes.

You must have also been awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal or higher distinctions. These citations must have been issued during WWII or the close aftermath and relate to outstanding actions, wounds, having been take prisoner of war, that took place on French soil only. Please note that actions taking place in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg or other border European countries will not be taken into account.

The Legion of Honor is the highest distinction awarded by France, thus only a few medals are issued each year. Applications are throughly reviewed and considered; however, due to the high volume of requests that we receive, the process of nomination or rejection of an applicant can take several months. For more information, please contact: